Whether you’re back at the office, working from home, working the digital nomad life, or even working outdoors, your lineup could probably use a refresh.
While curbing fast fashion in mind, here are several sustainable apparel and accessories brands with quality products and quality production methods to consider for investment pieces that will last you longer than a few seasons.
Frank & Eileen
Former engineer Audrey McLoghlin launched her own sustainable apparel label, Frank & Eileen, in 2009 as she sought to reinvent the button-up for women—a category that has typically been designed with a focus on male body types with little consideration for women. Based in California, the women-owned and women-led business from a capsule collection to a full line of casual cool classics reimagined for women with pieces that are crafted to be reworn for years for a variety of occasions, from work to travel to the weekend. But the button-up remains at the center of it all with the debut of the Victoria, the brand’s first-ever tuxedo shirt, designed for an oversized fit and shaped like a oval with soft shoulders for a more feminine look.
Ibex
Founded in 1997, Ibex was named originally named after the wild horned mountain goat, known for its agility and mountaineering skills. And yet it’s best known for its merino wool-based performance gear. The company just launched what it is touting as its most innovative base layer collection yet: Woolies Pro Tech, featuring Nuyarn fabric. Using Nuyarn’s twist-free spinning technology, these lightweight base layers are 35% more thermally efficient, 85% more elastic, and more than eight times more durable than their ring-spun counterparts. Made from a blend of 85% merino wool and 15% nylon core for durability, the collection covers critical base layers for both men and women, including crewneck long-sleeves and full length bottoms.
Monday
Cofounders, Natasha Oakley and Devin Brugman, launched Monday Swimwear as advocates of body positivity with a goal to instill confidence and power within their female audience. Thus, much of the size-inclusive brand’s offerings are based off timeless pieces in broader sizes with the intention to compliment and flatter the female form, as opposed to recreating size-specific, temporary trends. Beyond swimwear, Monday also has a wide range of knitwear and activewear appropriate for home or the beach, from white-knit sweater and pants sets to high-waisted leggings durable for pilates or running.
Paka
Launched out of Peru during a Kickstarter project in 2017, Paka Apparel specializes in innovating upon the basic but critical essentials for outdoor wear from tops and bottoms to outerwear, making them in Alpaca wool. As soft as cashmere, Alpaca wool is touted to offer all of the thermoregulating benefits of typical wool without the scratchiness. It’s also popular with travelers as it is moisture wicking (dries super quickly), thermoregulating (Alpacas have adapted to an alpine climate that can shift from below zero to 80 degrees Fahrenheit), and it is three times lighter than sheep’s wool.
Patagonia
There’s workwear, and then there’s real workwear. Few brands are as synonymous with the outdoors as much as Patagonia, both for its commitment to quality as well as the environment. At the core of Patagonia’s workwear line is its Iron Forge Hemp canvas pants for women and men, designed for the toughest jobs while keeping the wearer both comfortable and protected from the elements.
Reformation
With the holiday season inevitably comes holiday parties. From silky to sparkly to business casual, Reformation has every possible style in one place. And yet it’s unlikely someone else might be wearing the same look as the brand is committed to limited-edition collections in small quantities to reduce textile waste. And when you’re done, you could send in old Reformation products to ThredUp for future Reformation credit or recycle old garments with SuperCircle to break them down into functional fibers and reworked into new products.
Summersalt
While swimwear put Summersalt on the map, the brand is now knees deep in outerwear. The Reversible Eco Quilted Lightweight Jacket, for example, is fully reversible and crafted from recycled plastic bottles to help keep waste out of landfills. And the brand’s new velvet collection for the holiday season is a clothing capsule of tailored blazers, dresses, and skirt made up of fabric content that is 98% recycled polyester and created with recycled bottles and ocean waste.
Under Armour
Under Armour has been ramping up development for designing athletic wear and shoes technically suited for both hot and cool temperatures. The UA ColdGear series is meant to serve essentially as a second skin when participating in outdoor sports and activities at sub-zero temperatures. Perhaps most efficient (and critical for one’s corporal health) is the UA HOVR Mega Warm Running Shoes, designed for both men and women, with insulation built in throughout the shoe for breathable warmth during extreme cold conditions, and the molded sockliner uses material that helps retain heat given off by the foot.
Vivaia
With winter temperatures come winter weather, which inevitably includes a lot of rain and snow. For more formal occasions and going out on the town, water-repellent boots are a must. Founded in 2020, Vivaia shoes were designed to be stylish but always comfortable. The Regina Pro, a mid-ankle boot combines elegance and purpose with an architectural block heel, elevating one (literally and figuratively) from the office to dinner.
Vuori
Washable cashmere put Vuori on the map a few years ago, but it is the brand’s trademarked DreamKnit fabric that is its most popular textile choice. One of the softest athleisure materials imaginable, it’s a comfortable and cozy choice for remote workers and travelers, especially. Vuori recently expanded its DreamKnit offerings for both men and women with a variety of new styles and colorways, including the Halo Essential Dress as well as the Coronado Pant and Half-Zip. The brand also added a genderless outerwear line this year with a selection of responsibly sourced down jackets and insulated vests.
